NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange

IPM Advancement

Join the experts at IPM Advancement for discussion and insights into nonprofit fundraising, membership, advocacy and more. Each show covers a different aspect of advancement, with topics ranging from annual giving to capital campaigns and everything in between.

  1. 12/19/2025

    How to Measure the Impact of Your Narrative Change Strategy (with Josh Gryniewicz and Brett Davidson)

    For nonprofits, stories matter. But the underlying narratives that shape how people make sense of the world matter even more. As narrative change takes on a larger role in strategic planning, leaders, boards, and funders are asking a critical question: How do we know if it's actually working? In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz and Brett Davidson discuss ways nonprofits of all sizes can measure the impact of narrative change work and why that measurement matters. Tune in to learn practical frameworks for assessing narrative impact, including how to think collaboratively, how to spot meaningful signals of change, and how to make a stronger case for narrative strategy with funders and decision-makers. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Measuring Narrative Change: Moving From Theory to Practice by Brett Davidson https://ssir.org/articles/entry/measuring_narrative_change_moving_from_theory_to_practice [NPFX] Co-Creating Solutions: The Next Level of Community Listening https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/co-creating-solutions-the-next-level-of-community-listening-narrative-strategy [NPFX] From Micro-Stories to Meta-Narratives: How to Influence Perception and Drive Change https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/from-micro-stories-to-meta-narratives-how-to-influence-perception-and-drive-change-narrative-strategy [NPFX] Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/authentic-ethical-and-effective-messaging-from-theory-to-practice [NPFX] Flipping the Script: Using Narrative Strategy to Improve Messaging and Prevent Donor Attrition https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/flipping-the-script-using-narrative-strategy-to-improve-messaging-and-prevent-donor-attrition [NPFX] How to Find Authentic Voices That Inspire Action https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/narrative-strategy-how-to-find-authentic-voices-that-inspire-action Guests Josh Gryniewicz is the founder and Chief Narrative Strategist at Odd Duck, a storytelling-for-social-change creative consultancy focused on impact-driven organizations. Josh is the co-author of the award-winning national bestseller, Interrupting Violence. For over a decade, he has worked in nonprofit communication. In 2018, he founded Odd Duck to combine his passions for storytelling and social change. The agency's Navigating Misinformation for Community Health framework has been shared with over a thousand community health organizations. Odd Duck has worked with nearly a hundred change-making organizations and advised hundreds more, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the White House. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgryniewicz/ https://oddduck.io/ https://www.interruptingviolence.com/ Brett Davidson is founder and principal at Wingseed LLC, where he supports social justice changemakers around the world to amplify their impact. Brett also serves as Lead of Narrative Field-Building with IRIS, the International Resource for Impact and Storytelling. Previously he was director of Media and Narratives at the Open Society Public Health Program, where he led an international team focused on changing long-held social narratives impacting health equity. Prior to joining Open Society in 2010, Davidson was a media consultant to civil society organizations in Southern and Eastern Africa. He previously served as program manager at the South African democracy institute Idasa, where he helped community radio stations develop participatory news and current affairs programming. Before that, he worked as a presenter and producer in radio current affairs at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, and in collaboration with the BBC. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettdav/ https://www.wingseed.org/ https://brettdavidson.substack.com/ Hosts Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    31 min
  2. 12/05/2025

    Power Ecosystems: Grow Your Impact, Build Collective Power, and Attract Funders (with Ginger Lee, Dr. Tony Iton, and Elizabeth Silverstein)

    Private funders are increasingly shifting from funding short-term service delivery to long-term systems change, pushing nonprofits to rethink their role in their community. Many are now asking, how do we stay mission-focused while building the relationships needed to attract funders who want deeper change? In today's episode, we explore the idea of power ecosystems — what they are, how they work, and why they're reshaping the nonprofit-funder relationship. Tune in to learn how to identify your power ecosystem, build collective power, and engage private funders more effectively. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Public Health and Racial Equity (PHaRE) Model for Systems Change https://gingerleeglobal.com/public-health-and-racial-equity-phare-model-for-systems-change/ [NPFX] Rethinking How We Do Good: What We Can Learn from This Funding Crisis https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/rethinking-how-we-do-good-what-we-can-learn-from-this-funding-crisis [NPFX] Federal Funding Uncertainty: How to Assess the Risks and Respond Strategically https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/federal-funding-uncertainty-how-to-assess-the-risks-and-respond-strategically [NPFX] Building Resilience in the Face of Funding Cuts https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/building-resilience-in-the-face-of-funding-cuts [NPFX] Advocacy Matters: Defending Federal Funding for Nonprofits https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/advocacy-matters-defending-federal-funding-for-nonprofits Guests Ginger Lee, DrPH, is the founder of the Ginger Lee Global Health Consulting Group, supporting communities and organizations committed to social justice and equitable systems change. Raised in low-resourced neighborhoods, she brings a deep commitment to community power building and transformational change. Dr. Lee has served as CEO of two nonprofits, a highly successful development director, a government policy maker, and president of a globally focused foundation. Her expertise centers on systems and organizational change, non-profit leadership, and on shifting traditional philanthropy to invest in systems-level solutions alongside direct service. She is the author of the research-based Public Health and Racial Equity (PHaRE) Model for Systems Change, which clarifies the mechanisms for systems transformation led by communities most impacted by inequities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/weavingchange/ https://gingerleeglobal.com/ Dr. Anthony "Tony" Iton, CEO of The Health Trust, is a physician, attorney, public health leader, and nationally recognized advocate for health equity. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Iton has tackled systemic barriers to health and championed community-led solutions to address inequities. At The California Endowment, he served as Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities, leading the landmark $1 billion, 10-year Building Healthy Communities initiative—one of the largest philanthropic efforts of its kind in the nation. His visionary leadership focused on empowering marginalized communities, shifting policy systems, and reimagining public health practices. Dr. Iton holds an MD from Johns Hopkins University, a JD and MPH from UC Berkeley, and a BS in Neurophysiology from McGill University. He is a Lecturer of Health Policy and Management at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health and serves on the boards of national organizations focused on health equity, including the Public Health Institute and Prevention Institute. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtonyiton/ https://healthtrust.org/ Elizabeth Silverstein has served the not-for-profit sector for more than 40 years, specializing in transformational giving, vision casting, inspiring boards, and building passionate, effective teams. Beth has been instrumental in cultivating major gifts for capital campaigns in healthcare, two presidential libraries, higher education, K-12 independent schools, and social service organizations. With an ardent passion for protecting and propelling the nonprofit sector, Beth has joined the team at VisionConnect, a consultancy specializing in strategic planning, coalition building, governance excellence, and nonprofit capacity building. A BoardSource-certified Governance Consultant, she is passionate about coaching boards toward purpose-driven leadership and crafting bold strategic plans that drive maximum mission impact. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-reynolds-silverstein-b211b7a/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/ Hosts Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    44 min
  3. 11/17/2025

    Co-Creating Solutions: The Next Level of Community Listening (Narrative Strategy with Josh Gryniewicz and Dana Pearlman)

    Community listening sessions are essential for effective nonprofit work, yet too often they become a box-checking exercise rather than a chance to uncover blind spots and foster true collaboration. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz interviews Dana Perlman to explore practical strategies for meaningful, co-creative listening. Tune in for a fresh perspective on systems change, community listening, and narrative strategy. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Dana Pearlman's Systems Change toolkits (free download) https://danapearlman.com/toolkits [NPFX] From Micro-Stories to Meta-Narratives: How to Influence Perception and Drive Change https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/from-micro-stories-to-meta-narratives-how-to-influence-perception-and-drive-change-narrative-strategy [NPFX] Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/authentic-ethical-and-effective-messaging-from-theory-to-practice [NPFX] Flipping the Script: Using Narrative Strategy to Improve Messaging and Prevent Donor Attrition https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/flipping-the-script-using-narrative-strategy-to-improve-messaging-and-prevent-donor-attrition [NPFX] When Your Nonprofit's Case for Support Just Isn't Working https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/when-your-nonprofit-s-case-for-support-just-isn-t-working [NPFX] How to Find Authentic Voices That Inspire Action https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/narrative-strategy-how-to-find-authentic-voices-that-inspire-action Guests Josh Gryniewicz is the founder and Chief Narrative Strategist at Odd Duck, a storytelling-for-social-change creative consultancy focused on impact-driven organizations. Josh is the co-author of the award-winning national bestseller, Interrupting Violence. For over a decade, he has worked in nonprofit communication. In 2018, he founded Odd Duck to combine his passions for storytelling and social change. The agency's Navigating Misinformation for Community Health framework has been shared with over a thousand community health organizations. Odd Duck has worked with nearly a hundred change-making organizations and advised hundreds more, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the White House. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgryniewicz/ https://oddduck.io/ https://www.interruptingviolence.com/ Dana Pearlman is the founder of ChangeLeaders Network. As a systems change designer, facilitator, and catalyst, she helps individuals, teams, and organizations innovate and thrive. Her work spans one-on-one mentoring, multi-stakeholder workshops, and large-scale transformation efforts. She equips groups with practical skills in dialogue, systems thinking, complexity navigation, and creative problem solving while fostering inclusive environments that honor diverse perspectives. Drawing on a versatile toolkit of frameworks and methodologies, Dana collaborates across sectors to co-create pathways toward shared goals. She also speaks on co-creation and leadership development and designs education programs and change labs, bringing a holistic and experiential approach grounded in her multidisciplinary academic background. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-pearlman-27134312/ https://danapearlman.com/ Hosts Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    33 min
  4. 10/29/2025

    Giving USA 2025: Insights from an Individual Giving Perspective (with Colton Strawser and Samantha Timlick)

    According to the Giving USA 2025 report, individual giving rose from last year. But three-quarters of dollars raised came from just 3% of donors. When giving is this top-heavy, should you keep investing in your annual fund program? In today's episode, we explore why the annual fund remains essential for long-term donor relationships — with insights on donor retention, stewardship through storytelling, and direct mail strategies to re-engage lapsed donors and strengthen your donor pipeline. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Giving USA 2023: Key Insights behind the Numbers https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/giving-usa-2023-key-insights-behind-the-numbers Colton C. Strawser, PhD has built his consulting career working with leaders at community foundations, United Ways, homeless shelters, senior service agencies, youth programs, arts and culture organizations, and more. He has trained more than 1,000 organizations and generated over $25 million in government grants. In addition to being a Certified Fund Raising Professional and Certified Nonprofit Professional, he has also completed a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting through BoardSource and is a Master Trainer through the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Dr. Strawser completed his PhD in Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership at The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. https://www.linkedin.com/in/coltonstrawser/ https://www.coltonstrawser.com/ Samantha Timlick, partner & CEO of IPM Advancement, has been with IPM since launch. She's worked with nonprofit clients on donor renewal, appeal, stewardship, and acquisition programs encompassing more than 250 million total recipients across all fundraising channels — including highly segmented direct mail microtargeting, personalized inbound and outbound telemarketing, and integrated e-campaigns. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stimlick/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    50 min
  5. 10/03/2025

    From Micro-Stories to Meta-Narratives: How to Influence Perception and Drive Change (Narrative Strategy with Josh Gryniewicz)

    The goal of narrative strategy is to influence a community's perception of an issue to enroll support and inspire real change. To do so, your nonprofit must first understand what makes up the "narrative ecosystem" in which all of your messaging lives. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz returns to explain the six "units of narrativity." Learn how to shape storytelling at every level so your nonprofit's communications and fundraising efforts connect more deeply and deliver greater impact. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Units of Narrativity graphic (from Odd Duck) https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6qh09z91yqzys14b8ilb1/Odd_Duck_Narrative_Ecosystem.pdf?rlkey=lba3tkl7oq9bs6d91pgriv76k&dl=0 "Narrative Framing as Advocacy" Resource Center [Alliance for Early Success] https://earlysuccess.org/resource-centers/narrative-framing-as-advocacy/ [NPFX] Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/authentic-ethical-and-effective-messaging-from-theory-to-practice [NPFX] Flipping the Script: Using Narrative Strategy to Improve Messaging and Prevent Donor Attrition https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/flipping-the-script-using-narrative-strategy-to-improve-messaging-and-prevent-donor-attrition [NPFX] When Your Nonprofit's Case for Support Just Isn't Working https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/when-your-nonprofits-case-for-support-just-isnt-working [NPFX] How to Find Authentic Voices That Inspire Action https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/narrative-strategy-how-to-find-authentic-voices-that-inspire-action Josh Gryniewicz is the founder and Chief Narrative Strategist at Odd Duck, a storytelling-for-social-change creative consultancy focused on impact-driven organizations. Josh is the co-author of the award-winning national bestseller, Interrupting Violence. For over a decade, he has worked in nonprofit communication. In 2018, he founded Odd Duck to combine his passions for storytelling and social change. The agency's Navigating Misinformation for Community Health framework has been shared with over a thousand community health organizations. Odd Duck has worked with nearly a hundred change-making organizations and advised hundreds more, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the White House. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgryniewicz/ https://oddduck.io/ https://www.interruptingviolence.com/ Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    34 min
  6. 09/18/2025

    Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice (Bridge Conference Q&A with Sadé Dozan and Josh Gryniewicz)

    Donors today — especially younger generations — are demanding greater transparency and efficacy from the nonprofits they support. To meet these needs, your nonprofit's narrative strategy must evolve beyond traditional fundraising messaging. In today's episode, host Russ Phaneuf and guests Sadé Dozan and Josh Gryniewicz follow-up their recent Bridge Conference presentation with a special Q&A designed to help you apply narrative strategy to real world challenges. Tune in as they workshop specific examples for nonprofits, big and small. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Bridge Conference presentation slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/auar9jfot0i6t0junjo8k/Flipping_the_Script_Track_13_Breakout_7_vF4.pdf?rlkey=w2lljvhnmtb8dzo4mgf7khtt6&dl=0 [NPFX] Flipping the Script: Using Narrative Strategy to Improve Messaging and Prevent Donor Attrition https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/flipping-the-script-using-narrative-strategy-to-improve-messaging-and-prevent-donor-attrition Sadé Dozan is the Vice President of Advancement at Borealis Philanthropy, where she leads efforts to mobilize transformative resources for grassroots movements at the heart of building a more just and inclusive democracy. She views philanthropy as a vehicle for community-led change — where investments not only meet urgent needs but also amplify narrative power and long-term infrastructure for liberation. With two decades in nonprofit leadership, Sadé has designed and scaled initiatives across housing, care, disability justice, education, health equity, and criminal justice reform. Sadé is a trusted advisor and board member to key movement and philanthropic organizations. She is also the founder of Melanate., an equity incubation project designed to shift philanthropic ecosystems and reimagine fundraising as a practice rooted in equity and care. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sade-dozan-cfre-9a496665/ https://borealisphilanthropy.org/ Josh Gryniewicz is the founder and Chief Narrative Strategist at Odd Duck, a storytelling-for-social-change creative consultancy focused on impact-driven organizations. Josh is the co-author of the award-winning national bestseller, Interrupting Violence. For over a decade, he has worked in nonprofit communication. In 2018, he founded Odd Duck to combine his passions for storytelling and social change. The agency's Navigating Misinformation for Community Health framework has been shared with over a thousand community health organizations. Odd Duck has worked with nearly a hundred change-making organizations and advised hundreds more, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the White House. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgryniewicz/ https://oddduck.io/ https://www.interruptingviolence.com/ Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    40 min
  7. 08/05/2025

    Rethinking How We Do Good: What We Can Learn from This Funding Crisis (with Melissa Cowley Wolf, Patton Hindle, and George Suttles)

    What does it mean to be a nonprofit today, and how did we reach a point where so many organizations feel underfunded, under attack, and uncertain about their future? The challenges the nonprofit sector is facing didn't come out of nowhere; they're rooted in deeper systemic issues, and they raise fundamental questions about the role of nonprofits in society. In today's episode, we discuss how we got here, what's changing, and where the sector can and should go next. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] Federal Funding Uncertainty: How to Assess the Risks and Respond Strategically https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/federal-funding-uncertainty-how-to-assess-the-risks-and-respond-strategically [NPFX] Building Resilience in the Face of Funding Cuts https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/building-resilience-in-the-face-of-funding-cuts [NPFX] Advocacy Matters: Defending Federal Funding for Nonprofits https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/advocacy-matters-defending-federal-funding-for-nonprofits Melissa Cowley Wolf has over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, strategic planning, and programming for art museums and higher education institutions across the United States. A philanthropy consultant for nonprofit organizations, an advisor to next generation philanthropists, and arts advocate working across industries, she was named to the Artnet 2020 Innovators List as one of 51 global innovators transforming the art industry. Melissa founded advising firm MCW Projects LLC in 2017 to expand the next generation of cultural philanthropists, advocates, and audiences. She is also the founding director of the Arts Funders Forum (AFF) an advocacy, media, convening, and research platform designed to develop new models of impact-driven financial support for the cultural sector. https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cowley-wolf-6440a79/ https://www.mcw-projects.com/ https://www.artsfundersforum.com/ Patton Hindle is the Executive Director of Artadia, a nonprofit grantmaker that centers artists in their vital role in society through providing funding and professional development in 7 US cities. Most recently, Patton was the Head of Forward Funds, Kickstarter's first social impact. She also served as the Head of Arts at Kickstarter for 5 years, working closely with artists, collectives, arts organizations, and cultural institutions around the world to help them realize creative and ambitious ideas. Patton is a co-author of How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery and was a 2019 Catherine Hannah Behrend Fellow at 92Y Women inPower in New York. Patton served as an advisor to Mellon Foundation and is currently on the Board of Directors of The Laundromat Project, serves as the secretary of the Board of Directors of Socrates Sculpture Park, and she is a mentor for New Inc. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patton-hindle/ https://www.pattonhindle.com/ https://artadia.org/ George Suttles is a recognized expert on the intersection of philanthropy, racial equity, and nonprofit finance. He's passionate about helping the sector confront its toughest challenges. Prior to his current role, George was a Program Officer at the John A. Hartford Foundation, an independent, national private foundation focused on improving care for older adults. Before joining the foundation, he was a Vice President, Senior Philanthropic Relationship Manager at U.S. Trust/Bank of America. In this role he worked with private and institutional clients on issues related to best practices in strategic grantmaking. He is a member of numerous nonprofit boards including the New York Foundation, where he serves as chair. George received a B.A. from Wesleyan University, an M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (IUPUI), and an M.P.A. from Baruch CUNY School of Public Affairs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesuttles/ Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    42 min
  8. 07/17/2025

    Seeing the Person Behind the Donation (Donor Stewardship with Sami Zoss and Mikey Latner)

    Good donor stewardship is rooted in human connection, where every donor is acknowledged regardless of the size of their contribution. In this episode, Sami Zoss sits down with Mikey Latner, founder of Project:Camp, to discuss how even the smallest nonprofit can create meaningful relationships with their supporters. Learn how Mikey makes his donors feel seen and appreciated, and how his passionate, human-centered stewardship transforms supporters into mission advocates. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] Donor Stewardship: Helping Donors Find Meaning through Philanthropy https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/donor-stewardship-helping-donors-find-meaning-through-philanthropy [NPFX] Meaningful Donor Relationships: The Key to Financial Stability https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/meaningful-donor-relationships-the-key-to-financial-stability [NPFX] Measuring More than Money: Why Donor Relationships Matter https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/measuring-more-than-money-why-donor-relationships-matter Sami Zoss is the founder of Zoss Collaborations, a business solutions consulting firm specializing in nonprofit growth and operational efficiency. With an MBA in Finance and Marketing, Sami brings a wealth of expertise in donor engagement, technology integration, and strategic planning to her clients. Before founding Zoss Collaborations, Sami served as the COO and later as Acting CEO of the Dakota State University Foundation, where she led record-breaking fundraising campaigns and implemented innovative donor engagement strategies that significantly expanded DSU's donor base. In addition to her work with educational institutions, she has been a dedicated volunteer with organizations like Camp Gilbert Inc., supporting children with Type 1 diabetes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/samizoss/ https://samizoss.com/ Mikey Latner is the executive director of Project:Camp. A former camp director with two decades of camp experience under his belt, Mikey founded Project:Camp with the idea that camp and childcare professionals have critical skills to offer in times of emergency. In developing their pop-up camp model, Mikey sought to use the structure of camp as a vehicle to bring joy, safety, and peace of mind to children and parents impacted by natural disasters. He hopes this work leads to a seismic shift in the disaster response ecosystem, creating a more holistic, trauma-informed and community-driven model that prioritizes the needs of families during emergencies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikey-latner-19b268171/ https://projectcamp.co/ Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

    39 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join the experts at IPM Advancement for discussion and insights into nonprofit fundraising, membership, advocacy and more. Each show covers a different aspect of advancement, with topics ranging from annual giving to capital campaigns and everything in between.

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